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Tugali parmophoidea (Quoy & Gaimard, 1834)

Description: Shell oval, widest posteriorly. Apex at posterior third, backwards pointing. Anterior slope convex, posterior slope concave. No slit anteriorly; anterior margin of shell with broad, shallow elevation. Selenizone restricted to a rib on first few millimeters of apex. Sculptured with 60-80 radial ribs and irregular concentric growth ridges. Margin crenulate within. Colour white or fawn.

Size: Up to 43 mm in length, typically about 20 mm.

Distribution: In Australia, from Caloundra, Queensland, to Victoria, but see remarks below.

Habitat: Under rocks and in crevices on exposed rocky shores, from low tide down to at least 25 m. Common.

Remarks: A similar species, Tugalia cicatricosa A. Adams, 1852 (Synonym Tugalia tasmanica Tenison-Woods, 1877) occurs from Victoria to south-western WA and Tasmania. It is described as being more depressed with coarser sculpture; some specimens have a groove internally and the selenizone is a raised rib from apex to margin. There is continuous variation of characters from T. parmophoidea to T. cicatricosa, so the two are probably the same species.

Fig. 1  Terrigal, NSW (DLB5099)

 


Copyright Des Beechey 2005